Duplicator



Sept E3, 934, F. F. FEcHl-:R

DUPLICATOR Filedl Feb. 9., 1932 v 64 Sheets-Sheet 4 .llllmllllllI INVENTOR:

l BY QW Cmmmws.

Sept. 18, 1934. F. F. Fl-:cHr-:R 1,974,266

` DUPLICATOR Filed Feb. 9. 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.'

Sept. 18, 1934.

F. F. FECHEYR DUPLICATOR Filed Feb. 9, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Slept. 18, 1934 reviste Unirse s'rarss rare-Nr erster.

, k1,974,266 DUPLIcAfroa Frederick Francis Fecher, RockvilleCenter, N. Y. Application February 9, 1.932, Yserial No. 591,796 9 claims. v(o1.v 10i-132) The invention relates to duplicators of that form in which a negative or reversed impression of matter to be copied is impressed upon an adhesive duplicating surface and positive impressions taken therefrom by bringing sheets of paper or the like in contact therewith, and it particularly relates to that form of duplicator in which the adhesive duplicating surface is mountedupon a rotating member adjacent which the paper passes and from which positive impressions are placed upon the paper.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide simple, efcient and economical means whereby the rapid handling of sheets of paper and the feeding of the same to the adhesive duplicating surface and stripping the same therefrom and delivering the same out of the machine, are facilitated. Further objects and advantages of the invention will be in part set forth in the following specification, and in part will be obvious therefrom without being specifically pointed out, the same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and structural characteristics and relative arrangements and combinations which will be hereinafter more fully described or which will be pointed out in the claims hereof.

W ith the above and other objects of the invention in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of varlous devices, elements and parts, as set forth in the claims hereof, certain embodiments of the same being illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in this specification.

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a duplicator, showing one embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view partly in section, taken along the line 2-2 in Fig. 1, and looking from the left in said Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view, on an enlarged scale, showing the clutch mechanism; f

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view, on a somewhat less enlarged scale, showing the stripping mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a similar view, but showing the parts i a different position;

Fig. 6 is a perspective View, on amore enlarged scale, showing certain mechanism Vat the outside of the gearwheel which forms the'right-hand end of the main rotating memberhereinafter more fully described;

Fig. '7 is a View, on a similar'scale, and partly in section, looking at the insideof theplain wheel orv disk which forms the left-hand end of the said main rotating member, and showing particularly certain `cams on said wheel;

Fig. 8 is a detail View, on an enlarged scale, of one of the stops hereinafter described;

Fig. 9'isa side view of a duplicator embodying a modification of my invention; and

Figs. 10 and 11 are diagrammatic views, on a somewhat smaller scale, hereinafter more fully described. In carrying my invention into effect in one of the embodiments thereof which has been selected for illustration in the accompanying drawings and for description in this specification, and referring first more particularly to Fig. 1, it will be seen that there is provided a main frame structure, which may be of any form suitable for the purpose,-such as may comprise side frame members 17 suitably secured together so as to make a frame of sufficiently rigid construction. This mainv frame structure supports various moving and other parts of the machine, and also supports a motor 11, which communicates motion to the machine through a worm 12, the gear-wheel 13 with which saidworin engages and which is fast upon a shaft l5, and the gear-wheels 14 and 19, hereinafter more fully referred to. I

' Supported by the side frame members 17 is the main rotating member which principally performs the actual duplicating work. By reference to Figs. l, 2, 6 and 7, it will be seen that this main rotating member comprises the gear-wheel 19 and a plain wheel or disk 20 (see Fig. 7) of approximately the same size, which bears the cams 30, 5,5and 62 hereinafter described (see Fig. 2), and that located between these wheels for about half of their circumference (see particularly Figs. 2 and 7) is a piece of Vsheet ymetal 21, bent into a semircylindrical form, and which may if desired be'padded with fabric or other soft material 22, secured in any suitable manner.

This main rotating member bears the adhesive duplicating surface of the machine. This adhesive duplicating surface may be applied to and lassembled with the machine in any manner suitable for the purpose, and may if desired consist of a sheet or .roll ofsubstantial length, the ends of which are secured to spindles, as shown in the drawings, and upon and from which the adhesive-duplicating surface may be wound and uponl one 'or both of which the portions of said adhesive'duplicating surface not inruse may be stored. vThese spindles may be journaled between the wheels 19 and 2i) in any suitable manner, and the devices by which, in the particular embodi- 110 Cil ment of the invention shown in the drawings, the spindles may be rotated when desired and such rotation prevented when not desired, are well shown in Fig. 6, and will be hereinafter more fully described. The said duplicating surface is designated 47.

The gear-wheel 19 is fast upon an outwardly extending short shaft 31, and the plain wheel or disk 20 is fast upon a similar short shaft 36, the outer ends of the shafts being journaled in the side frames 17 of the machine, in any suitable manner.

The wheel 19 (as before said) gears with the wheel 14, which is loose upon the shaft 15 of the gear-wheel 13, but which may be caused to rotate with said shaft 15 by the engagement of the clutch mechanism shown in the lower right hand portion of Fig. 2 (also shown on an enlarged scale in Fig. 3), which will be hereinafter more fully referred to.

Extending forwardly and somewhat upwardly from the side frame members 17, are extensions 24 (see Fig. l), which uphold a shelf or table adapted to support paper to be fed into the machine. This table comprises an inclined portion 25, and may also comprise a level portion 26, as shown fragmentarily in Fig. 1, adapted to hold a pile of sheets. The paper is fed by the operator, one sheet at a time, down the inclined shelf 25, until it abuts against the stop 27 (see Figs. 1 and 7). This stop 27 extends across the inclined shelf 25is pivotally mounted as shown at 28 in Fig, 7, and is provided with an upwardly extending finger 29, adapted to engage with a cam 30 on the outside of the wheel 20, as best shown in Fig. 7

Asthe wheel 20 rotates, the action of the descending cam 30 on the finger 29 operates to raise the stop 27, thus allowing the paper to slide under the same, the end of the paper passing beyond the lower end of the inclined shelf 25, passing over a roller 32, and coming to rest against a second stop 35, where it remains until the main rotating member has turned far enough to bring the forward edge of the adhesive duplicating surface 47 over the same, when the paper is brought into contact therewith, by means` about to be described, and is then carried around by the duplicating surface until it reaches the stripping mechanisin at the top of the machine, also hereinafter to be described.

The roller 32 just above referred to extends across the machine for substantially the width of the adhesive duplicating surface carried by the main rotating member. At each side of the machine is provided a slotted member 50 (see Fig. 7, which shows the left-hand such member) and in these two members 50 are journaled the ends of the shaft 33 of the said roller 32, the shaft 33 being thereby movable in the slots 51. A spring 52 is provided, however, in each member 50, which spring tends to keep the roller 32 in its uppermost position.

Also mounted on the shaft 33 of the roller 32, and between the end of the roller and the slotted member 56, on each side of the machine, is a small wheel 53 (see Fig. 7), slightly larger in diameter than the roller itself, and so located. on said shaft that the left-hand wheel 53 may engage with the wheel 20 and the right-hand wheel 53'wzth a cam 54 on the gear-wheel `19 (see Figs.'2 and 6).

The periphery of the wheel 20V is not a regular circle, of the same radius throughout its entire circumference, but, as shown in Fig. 7, approximately one-half of the same is of a larger radius than the other half, the contour of the smaller part being indicated in dotted line in said Fig'. 7. 'By this means the larger portion 55 of the wheel 20 serves as a cam for engagement with the left-hand wheel 53, and the cam 54 on the gear-Wheel 19 (see Figs. 2 and 6) being of the same peripheral contour as the said cam portion 55, the two cams 54 and 55 simultaneously depress both wheels 53 and afterwards simultaneously release the same and allow the roller 32 to rise when the respective cams have passed by. This mechanism will be obvious from Figs. l, 6, and 7; but it is omitted from Fig. 2, where it would otherwise appear, for the sake of clearness.

By reference to Fig. 7, it will be seen that in the postion there shown, the roller is depressed by the action of the cams 54 and 55, and that the stop 27 is about to be raised by the action of the cam 30 on the finger 29 and thereby to allow a sheet of paper to pass down over said roller and t'nto Contact with the stop 35.

The general form of this stop 35 is shown in the detail view Fig. 3, the same being there shown partly broken away in order to save space. This stop 35 is pivotally mounted, at its lower corners,

in the members 50 at each sideof the machine,

as shown at in Fig. 7, and the same is also prov'ded at each end with a spring, as shown at 6l in said Fig. 7, which tends to keep the stop 35 normally in the position there illustrated.

The wheel 20 is provided on its inner surface i" with a cam member 62 (see Figs. 2 and 7) which extends a little more than half-way around the periphery of said wheel, the front end of this cam 62 being somewhat in advance of the front edge of the operative portion of the adhesive duplicat- "f thereby moving the said stop 35 downward and backward, that is to say, toward the right in Fig.

7, and holding the same in this position during a little more than one-half of the rotation of the main rotating member.

It will be seen that almost immediately after the stop 35 is depressed by the action of the cam 62, the roller 32 is released by the Vcams 54 and 55 and allowed to rise, and that thereby the paper, which was then lying over the roller, is immediately brought by it into contact with the adhesive duplicating surface, and is then carried along by the latter, the roller continuing to insure good contact of all parts of the paper with the duplicating surface.

The stripping and discharging mechanism will now be described. At the rear of the machine, that is to say, toward the right in Fig. l, 1's pivotally mounted an auxiliary supporting frame, which serves to carry certain parts of the strpping mechanism about to be described, and also the devices for moistening the adhesive dupl'cat- 1" ing surface when desired, also hereinafter described.

This auxiliary supporting frame comprises side members 65, between which is mounted an inclined table 66 for the reception of sheets of paper as they are stripped from the main rotating member. This table 66 may desired be provided with an adjustabie stop, as shown at 67,.adapted to retain the sheets in a convenient pile as the same are delivered from the stripping mechanism. These auxiliary side frame members are pivotally mounted on the main side frame members 17, as shown at 68, and may therefore be tilted up out of the way of the main portion of the machine when desired. When in normal position, the forward portions of the auxiliary side frame members 65 rest upon upwardly extending portions of the main side frame members 17 being held in proper register therewith by means of upwardly extending lugs (see Fig. 6) on the members 17, which lugs engage with suitable sockets in the auxiliary frame members 65.

Extending across between said side members 65 (see Fig. 2) are shafts 71 and 72, the ends of which are journaled in said members 65', and also a rod 73 and a at bar or slat 74, allas shown most clearly in Fig. 2. Fast upon the shafts 71 and 72 respectively are two series of short rollers, 75 and 76, which may be respectively of knurled metal and of rubber, as shown, or of any constructions suitable for the purpose. A short, nonrotating shaft 77 is also provided, extending inwardly from the right-hand side member 65, and loose upon this is a sleeve 78, which has fast upon one end the gear-wheel 79, which gears with the large gear-wheel 19, and fast upon the other end a gear-wheel 80 which gears with the Wheel 8l on the shaft 71, which in turn gears with the wheel 82 on the shaft 72, thereby driving the stripping rollers 75 and 76 from the main rotating member of the machine. The edge -of the paper is delivered to these rollers by mechanism hereinafter described.

Upon the rod 73 are mounted the moistening devices hereinafter referred to, and upon the flat bar 74 is mounted a series of curved metal fingers 85, shown best in Figs. 4 and 5, which serve to guide the paper and insure that the same shall pass over the top of the stripping rollers 76, toward the back of the machine, and fall upon the inclined table 66. These guiding ngers 85 are clearily shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and may also be seen in the front view Fig. 2, between each pair of stripping rollers 75 and 76.

Extending across between the two ends of the main rotating member of the machine is a` hat member 90, best shown in Fig. 7, which serves at the proper time in the operation of the machine to lift the forward edge of the paper (which is in advance of the portion adhering to the adhesive duplicating surface) and direct it between the stripping rollersV 75 and 76. This member 90 is provided with pins 91, which are mounted in any suitable manner in the wheels at the respective ends of the main rotating member, the righthand pin 91 extending through the wheel 19 and having fast upon its outer end an arm 92 which extends toward the centre of said wheel 19 and has upon its free end a small wheel 93, adapted to pass over a cam 95 upon the right-hand side frame i7 of the machine (see Figs. e and 5). This arm 92 is also provided with a spring 94, attached to the wheel 19, which tends to hold the arm 92 and thereby the lifting member 90, normally in the position shown in Fig. 4.

The cam 95 is pivotally mounted at 97 on the inside of the right-hand main frame member 17, and is provided with a spring 96 attached to said frame lmember, which tends to keep said cam always in the lowest possible position. A small rotatable stop memberl 98 is also provided, which if placed in the position shown in Figs. 4 and 5 keeps the cam 95 in the position there shown,

but if turned at an angle of ninety degrees or more will allow the cam to descend slightly, as will be readily understood from an inspection of the drawings. A knob or handle 99 is provided for operating the stop 98 (see Fig. 6).

The free edge of the lifting member 9911.01"- mally rests, as best-shown in Fig. 7, upon the adhesive duplicating surface. The exact position in which the paper is pressed against the said adhesive duplicating surface by the devices above referred to and in the manner which will be more particularly recapitulated below, is such that the front edge of the paper extends slightly over the free edge of the lifting member 99. As long, therefore, as the lifting member remains in its normal position, the paper remains in undisturbed contact with the duplicating medium, but when the parts come into such position that the arm 92 passes over the cam 95 and the free edge of the lifting member 90 is raised into the position shown in Fig. 5, the advancing edge of the paper is thereby directed between and engaged by the rollers 75 and 76, and as the parts continue their rotation the entire sheet of paper is by these rollers stripped from the adhesive duplicating surface 47, carried through between the said rollers 75 and 76, and guided by the curved members 85 over the rollers 76 and allowed to fall upon the inclined table 66. It will be observed that in addition to other advantages, this method of stripping tends to deliver the paper from the machine in a fiat condition, that is to say, the curve or curl which is given to the paper during its adhesion to the duplicating surface is counteracted by the opposite curve which it receives when passing through between the rollers 75 and 76 and being guided backward by the members 85.

At certain times it may not be desired to strip the paper from the adhesive duplicating surface at once, but to allow the same to remain thereon for a longer time than a single rotation of the main rotating member, as for instance vwhen the master-sheet upon which is the matter to be copied is placed upon the duplicating surface, in order to make the reversed impression thereon from which the copies are then taken. This may be accomplished by turning the stop 98 ninety degrees or more, which, as will be clearly understood from the drawings, allows the cam to occupy a lower position than that shown, and the arm 92 therefore passes over the same without being elevated sufficiently to raise the free edge of the'member 90, and the leading edge of the paper remains in its original position and is not fed up through the stripping mechanism above described. The master-sheet may thusfbe left in contact with the adhesive duplicating surface 47 during as many full rotations of the main rotating member as necessary, and when it is desired to remove the same it may be done by turning the stop 98 again into the position shown in the drawings, whereupon the master-sheet will be stripped from the adhesive duplicating surface and other sheets of paper may then be fed into the machine and removed therefrom in the same manner as rst above described.

Devices for moistening the adhesive duplicating surface when desired are provided, the same being shown at the top of the machine in Figs. 1 and 2, and will be well understood from an inspection of these figures of the drawings. The same comprise a cylindrical water-receptacle 100, provided with a narrow longitudinal opening, in

which is tightly wedged a strip 101 ofV thick felt or other suitable material, adapted to allow sumcient water for the purpose to pass through it to the adhesive duplicating surface, when the moistening devices are in their lowered or operative position, as shown in the dotted lines in Fig. 1, and to spread such water evenly over the said surface, and on the other hand to prevent undue evaporation from the receptacle when the devices are in the position shown in the full lines in Fig. 1. This receptacle is attached at its ends to arms 102, which are swingingly mounted on the rod 73 (see Fig. 2), and is also provided with a knob or handle 103. On the arms 102 are also provided short arms 104, provided with rollers 105 which may run upon the cams 54 and 55 and thus support the receptacle 100 when the device is in its lowered position and the meistening strip 101 is in contact with the adhesive duplicating surface. V

The clutch mechanism by which the motor is thrown into and out of gear with the machine is shown in Figs. l and 2, and in detail on an enlarged scale in Fig. 3. As devices of this character and for this purpose are known in the art, it is not thought necessary to occupy space here with a description of the particular embodiment of the same shown in the drawings.

The manner in which the adhesive duplicating surface is mounted upon the main rotating member of the machine in the particular embodiment of the invention which is described and illustrated in this application, will be best seen from Fig. 7, and the means for adjustably holding the same in Fig. 6, but it will be understood that the same is not an essential part of the present invention and that the said adhesive duplicating surface may if desired consist of a short strip secured in place in any suitable manner, or may be applied to and assembled with the said main rotating member in any form and manner suitable to the purpose.

Referring to said Figs. 6 and 7, it will be seen that as there shown, the adhesive duplicating surface consists of a sheet or roll of substantial length, the ends of which are secured to a pair of spindles upon and from which the adhesive duplicating surface may be wound and unwound and upon one or the other of which the portions of said adhesive duplicating surface not in use are stored. rIhese spindles are journaled between the wheels 19 and 20 in any suitable manner, and one end of each spindle is operatively connected with ratchets 44, which bear square ends 42 adapted to engage with a chuck 41, which may be rotated by the crank 43. Each ratchet 44 is adapted to engage witha pawl 45. A pawl-releasing device 46 is provided, which operates to release said pawls from said ratchets when it is desired to rotate the spindles for the purpose of shifting the adhesive duplicating surface over its bed or for removing the same. As the construction and operation of such adhesive duplicating surface feeding and securing mechanism are well understood in the art, do not think it necessary to describe the same more fully here.

Appropriate counting mechanism may be provided if desired, as shown. in Fig. 6 in the drawings, but as the4 same is well known and forms no part of the present invention, it is not thought necessary to describe the same in detail.

The operation o-f this embodiment of my invention is as follows: The first step in the production of the result aimed at is to impress upon the adhesive duplicating surface 47 a reversed im'- pression of the material which is to be reproduced upon the copies, this impression being derivedv from an original or master-sheet upon which the material to be duplicated has been written, printed or otherwise impressed in suitable duplieating ink. This master copy is laid face upwards upon the table 25 and fed down until the edge reaches the stop 27. The machine is then adjusted` by turning the stop98 down to one side, thereby allowing the cam 95 to assume its lower position, and the machine is then set in operation, by the engagement of the clutch mechanism, above mentioned.

Power is communicated tothe machine by the motor 11, through the worm 12 and the gearwheels 13 and 14, the latter-ofl which gears with the wheel 19, which is on the shaft 31 and which with its corresponding wheel 20 and the sheetmetal member 21 form the. semi-cylindrical main rotating member of the machine.

When the machine is set into operation, this semi-cylindrical member is rotated in a counterclockwise direction (from the point of viewof Fig. 1), and the cams 54 and 55 in passing downward engage and depress the wheels 53 on the shaft of the roller 32, thereby holding the roller in its lowered position, as shown in Figs.V 1 and 7.

As the rotation continues, the cam 30 in passing down engages with and raises the finger 29 and thereby the stop 27, and, the roller 32 being still depressed, the master-sheet is thereupon allowed to slide under and beyond the stop 27, and to extend over and beyond the roller 32 and rest against the stop 35.

When the main rotating member has made almost one-half of a rotation from the position shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings, the leading edge of the adhesive duplicating surface 47 will be brought into a position over the part of the paper which lies over the roller 32, the front end of the cam 62 will act to depress the stop 35 so that the paper may pass by the same, and at almost the same moment the cams 54 and 55 will release the roller 32 so that the same will rise and press the paper firmly and evenly against the adhesive duplicating surface, which pressure will continue until the rear end of the operative portion of the adhesive duplicating surface has passed over the roller 32 and the front ends of the cams 54 and 55 again come in contact with the wheels 53 on the shaft 33 of the roller 32 and thereby once more depress the roller for another half-rotation of the semi-cylindrical member.

In the ordinary operation of the machine. the lifting member and stripping mechanism above described would removeY the paper from the adhesive duplicating surface as the same reached the top of the machine, but when the stop 98 is turned down asY above described and the cam S5 is therefore in its lowered position, the stripping mechanism does not operate and the result is that the master-sheet is retained in close contact with the adhesive duplicating surfacefor several revolutions, many or few as desiredj in order that there may be a suficiently complete absorption of the ink from the master-sheet into the adhesive duplicating surface. As soon as the mastersheet has remained upon the adhesive duplicating surface for what the operator considers a sufficient length of time, the stop 9,8 may be turned again into its upright position, the master-sheet stripped from the adhesive duplicating surface, and the machine will then be ready for the production of copies.

.l supporting frame in a similar manner;

The reproduction of copies from the matter which has been impressed upon the adhesive duplicating surface is accomplished as follows: A pile of sheets of paper upon which the copies are to be produced is placed upon the table 26, and one sheet is fed down over the inclined portion 25 until it abuts against the stop 27. Successively, as the sheets are taken up by the machine and carried therethrough, other sheets are likewise fed. With the exception of this feeding of successive sheets of paper, the operation of the machine is entirely automatic.

As the semi-cylindrical member rotates, the cams 54 and 55, 30, and 62, act respectively upon the stop 27, the roller 32, and the second stop 35, in the same manner as just above referred to with regard to the master-sheet, so that each sheet of paper is carried down into contact with the adhesive duplicating surface and pressed firmly against it by the roller 32. The paper then remains on the adhesive duplicating surface 47 and is carried around by it, with the leading edge of the paper `extending forward of the leading edge of the adhesive duplicating surface and over the member 90, until in the course of the rotation of the machine the arm 92 passes over the cam 95- (which is then in its normal raised position) and the member 90 is thereby lifted and in turn raises the leading `edge of the paper and directs the same up between the stripping rollers '75 and 76, and the same is then stripped fromthe adhesive duplicating surface by these rollers and guided by the members 85 overl and backward on to the inclined table 6, where it comes to rest against the'adjustable stop 67.

In the meantime another sheet of paper has been fed downward against the stop 27 and is ready to be carried down and' around when released thereby and then stripped from the adhesive duplicating surface, so that the operation above described is successively repeated as many times as may be desired..

lIn carrying my invention into effect in the embodiment thereof which is shown in Figs. 9, l and l1, I provide a supporting frame `170, which is in a general way similar to the supporting frameV 17 in the embodiment already described, and serves the same purpose. Only the upper portion of this frame 170 is'shown in the drawings, but it will be understood that the same may also support a motor, suitable gearing for transmitting power from themotor to the main rotating member about to be described, and suitable clutch mechanism, all of which maybe the same a's those'already shown and described in connection with the embodiment already described, or may be of any suitable construction and arrangement.

The main rotating member in this modified embodiment of the invention is entirely similar to the analogous member in the first-described embodiment, with the exception of the means for operating the lifting member (designated 190 inl'igs. 9, 10 and 11), and is journaled in the the mechanism for bringing the paper into contact with the adhesive duplicating surface is also entirely similar to that previously described. Many of these parts are clearly shown in Fig. 9, to wit,

the large gear-wheel 160 forming the right-hand end of the main rotating member; the curved metal member V163-which supports the adhesive duplicating surface'147, and which may be suitably padded if desired; the spindles 240, and the ratchets 244, square ends' 242 and handle 243 for rotating the said spindles; the inclinedv table 250 supported by the extensions 2410 of the frame 170; and the stop 127 and finger 129, pivotally mounted at 128. All of these parts will be understood from what has been above said with regard to the firstdescribed embodiment, and it will also be understood that certain other parts are also provided, entirely analogous to those in the rst-described embodiment, butV which are not shown in the views illustrating the modification, in order to simplify and reduce the number of these additional views; that is to say, the wheel at the lefthand end of the main rotating member is analogous to the Vwheel 20, `and this modified form of the invention also comprises cams analogous to the cams 30, 54, 55 and 62, a roller 232 (see Figs. and 11) analogous to the roller 32 and similarly mounted and operated, a stop analogous to the stop and similarly mounted and operated, and suitable pawls and pawl-releasing mechanism analogous to that shown in Figs. 1 and 6.

The principal diiferences between the two embodiments of the invention relates to the construction, location and operation of the means for removing paper from the adhesive duplicating surface, and these will now be described. The table for the reception of the said paper after it has been stripped, and the moistening devices, are also shown as being of slightly different form and location, as will be hereinafter referred to, although the construction and location of the same form no essential part of either embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 9, it will be seen that Athe side frames 170 are provided with upwardly extending` portions 115, and that in the same is suitably journaledat 126, a shaft bearing a series of rollers 111, which may be of rubber or any other suitable material. These rollers are analogous to the rollers 76 above described, but need not be either so short or so numerous as is necessary in the case of the rollers 76 (in orderto clear the guides 85). The shaft of the rollers 111 is provided with a gear-wheel 112, which gears with the large wheel 160 and is 120 driven thereby. Y

Above the rollers 111 is journaled a second roller 113, which may be of knurled metal or any other suitable construction, and is somewhat analogous to the rollers 75, but differs from the i125 latter'in being a single roller of a length almost equal to the width of the adhesive duplicating surface, instead ofa series of short rollers, as are the rollers '75. This roller 113 is journaled in suitable slots or sockets 121 in the upper parts of 130 the extensions 115, and in each of these sockets is provided a spring 122, the pressure of which upon the shaft of the roller 113 may be adjusted by means of the screw 121 and member 124, and by this means the pressure of the roller 113 upon 135 the rollers 111 may be adjusted from time to time as required.

Suitably supported between the extensions 115 is a guiding member 114, which may be most clearly seen inthe diagrammatic views Figs. 10 and 11. This member 114 consists of a strip of material suitably shaped, and comprises a backwardly and upwardly extending portion designated 125 (see Fig. y9). Y

A receiving table or shelf 117 is provided at 145 the back of the machine, supported by members 118 which are pivotally mounted at 119 in the side frame members 170 of the machine, so that the table may be tilted down out of the way when the machine is not in use, or for packing 150 and shipping the same. A stop 116 and a brace 135 co-acting with the frame of the machine are provided for holding the shelf 117 iniposi-f tion when raised, and an Vadjustable stop 120 is also provided inthe shelf, analogous to the stop 67.

Extending across between the two ends ofthe main rotating member in this embodiment 0I" my invention, is a lifting member 190, which in itself is analogous to the member 90 in the firstdescribed embodiment, but is used in a slightly different manner and operated by simpler means, although it serves the same purpose as the member 90, that is, to direct an edge of the paper between the stripping rollers when it is desired to remove the'paper from the adhesiveduplieating surface; This member V190 is provided with pins 191, Ywhich are mounted in any suit.- able manner in the Wheels at the respective ends of the main rotating member, the right-hand pin 191 extending through the wheel 160 and having fast upon its outer end an arm 192 `(see Fig. 9) the free end of which extends toward the centre of the wheel 160. This arm is provided with a spring 194, attached to the'rwheel 160, which tends to hold the arm 192 in the position shown in the full lines in Fig. 9, and thereby to hold the member 190 in the position in which its free edge lies adjacent the adhesive duplicating surface 147.V A rotatable oblong stop 110 is provided, however, which when turned into the position shown in the full lines in Fig. -9 will allow the arm 192 and member 190 to remain in the v position just referred to, but which, when turned at right angles, that is to say, into the position shown in the dotted lines in Fig. 9, will move the arm 192 to the right and thereby slightly raise the edge of the lifting member 190 from the adhesive duplicatingY surface 147, and Willi' hold the members in this position until the stop 110 is again turned parallel to the arm 192.

In thisfembodiment of the invention there is no need for any members analogous to the cam 95 and the other members usedV in connection therewith (as will -be more clearly understood from the description hereinbelow of the operation of this modification), and these Vmembers are thereforeV omitted from the modified form.

Devices for moistening the adhesive duplicat- -ving surface when desired are provided, the same being in general analogous to those previously described. These devices are shown Vmounted on uprights 13() suitably supported on the frame members of the machine, and comprise a Water- Ireceptacle 140, provided with a moistening strip 141, and attached at its ends to arms Y1212, which are pivotally mounted at 144 in the uprights 130. The uprights V130 are provided with extensions 131 serving as stops to support the'moistening devices in correct operative position when de' sired, as shown in the dotted lines in Fig. 9, and

, stantial differences being with regard to the strip--v ping mechanism, including the lifting member 190, and it is therefore thought that the operation of this stripping mechanism is all that need be described here. It will be understood that power. may be communicated to the machine in the same manneras in the first-described embodiment, the clutch mechanism operated in the same manner, and that when the machine is set into operation the various devices used in connection with bringing the paper into the correct position and into contact with the adhesive duplicating surface 14,7 ail operate the same manner which has been already fully set forth.

The respects in which the operation of this modification differs from that of the'other embodiment are as follows: The first step in the production of. the result aimedat being the impression upon the adhesive duplicating surface 147 from a master-sheet of the matter to be copied, and it being desirable to allow the mastersheet to remain in contact with the adhesive duplicating surface during several revolutions of the main rotating member, the machine is ad- `iusted by turning the stop Y110 into a position parallel with the arm 192, which allows the spring 1941130 hold the member 190 in the position in which its free edge lies against the adhesive duplicating surface. The master-sheet may then be laid face upward upon the table 250 and fed down untii the edge reaches the stop 127, the machine then set into .operation and the mastersheet'broug'ht into contact with the adhesive duplicating surface and carried around thereby without `oeing stripped therefrom, in a manner similar to that referred to with regard to the operation of the first-described embodiment when adjusted to preventrstripping.

When the master-sheet has remained upon the adhesive duplicating surface for what the operator considers a suihcient length of time, it is removed therefrom, and the YmachineY is adjusted for the production of copies, by turning the stop so that it occupies a positioneat right Yangles to the arm 192. It will be seen that, owing to the elongated Yshape of the stop 110, this moves thearm 192 into theV position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9, and slightly removes the free edge of the member 190 from the adhesive duplicatingsurface 147, this free edge being then allowed to remainrthus slightly removed during the entire operation of producing copies, in this respect differingY from the first-described embodiment, in which the member 90 is alternately raised and lowered by the action' of the cam 95 and related members.

The production of copies is accomplished as follovvs,V in this modicationi VThe paper is fed down the inclined shelf, one sheet at a time, and as each sheet abuts against the stopV 127 it is taken up by the machine and brought into contact with the adhesive duplicating surface in a manner analogous to that previously described, but as in this modification the lifting member 190 has been adjusted so that-it is slightly removed from the adhesive duplicating surface 147, it will be seen from an 1 examination of the diagrammatic View Fig. 10 (which shows the position of the parts'just after a sheet of paper, designated 150, has been brought into contact with the adhesive duplicating surface) that the leading end of the paper, whichextends beyond the adhesive duplicating surface, is given a slight downward curve, which effect may be slightly increased by the action of gravity, not only on the paper itself, but also on the member 190 in case the tension of the spring 194 is such as to allow al slight play to the arm 192 and member' 190.

The paper 150 is then carried around by the adhesive duplicating surface 147` until its leading edge reaches the guide 114, atthe back of the machine. The edge being then curved outwardly from the adhesive duplicating surface (that is, toward the bach of the machine) by the action of the member 190, is directed under the portion 125 of the member lill and passes between said portion 125 and the rollers 111, and as the rotation continues the paper is gripped between the rollers 111 and 113 and by them stripped from the main rotating member and delivered (in a flat condition and face upwards) on the receiving shelf 117, where they may be neatly piled against the stop 120.

In the meantime another sheet of paper has been fed downward against the stop 127 and is readyv to be carried down and around when released thereby and then stripped from the adhesive duplicating surface, so that the operation above described is successively repeated as many times as may be desired.

I have found in the practical use of machines constructed according to my invention that the same can be used at a rapid speed and will produce eiiiciently and ina much shorter time than has heretofore been practicable in devices of this kind the maximum number of reproductions of the matter desired to be reproduced which it is possible to talee from a single impression upon the adhesive duplicatingsurface, and also that the fiat form in which the said copies are delivered is of great practicablefadvantage and convenience, as the same are then ready for immediate use without further attention in straightening the same out.

It will be seen that the operation is entirely automatic with the exception of feeding successive sheets of paper toward the stop 2'7 or the stop 127, as the case may be. It would of course be practicable to associate with this machine an automatic feeding mechanism, but the same comprises no part of the present invention. The operation of feeding paper by hand, however, is one requiring no great degree of skill or experience on the part of the operator, and therefore this device has proved to be a very economical, efficient and satisfactory mechanism for the purpose intended.

Other advantages of the invention will be ob`- vious from what has been above said with regard to its construction and operation.

I do not limit myself to the particular details of construction set forth in the foregoing specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, as the same refer to and set forth only certain embodiments of the invention, and it is obvious that the same may be modif-led, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is as follows:

l. In a duplicator, the combination with a stationary frame and a rotary frame adapted to support a duplicating surface; of means adapted to bring paper into contact with said duplicating surface in a predetermined position, said means comprising a pivotally mounted stop or guide against which an edge of a sheet of paper may abut and be brought to rest thereby in the path of said duplicating surface, and means adapted to turn said stop pivotally downward out of the path of said duplicating surface at a predetermined point in the operation of the machine and thereby release said paper in the path of said duplicating surface as same approaches said paper.

2. In a duplicator, the combination with a stationary frame and a rotary frame adapted to support a duplicating surface; of means adapted to bring paper into contact with said duplicatingsurface in a predetermined position, said means comprising a stop pivotally mounted in said stationary frame and against which an edge of a sheet of paper may abut and be brought to rest thereby in the path of said duplicating surface, and a cam on said rotary frame adapted to act directly upon said stop to hold the same turned pivotally downward below the path of said paper and of said duplicating surface during a predetermined portion of the rotation of said rotary frame.

l 3. In a duplicator, the combination with a stationary frame and a rotary frame adapted to support a duplicating surface; of means adapted to bring paper into Contact with said duplicating surface, said means comprising a stop adapted when in one position to prevent paper from passing into the machine and when in another posi tion to permit same to be brought into contact with said duplicating surface, a second stop adapted to locate in proper position a sheet of paper which has been released by said first-named stop and then to release same, a roller adapted when in one position to be spaced away from said duplicating surface and when in another position tc bring paper into contact therewith, and means adapted to operate said stops and to change the position ofk said roller at predetermined points in the operation of the machine, said last-named means comprising a series of cams on said rotary frame and resilient means adapted to press said rroller against said duplicating surface.

a. In a duplicator, the combination with a stationary frame and a rotary frame adapted to support a duplicating surface; of means adapted to remove paper from said duplicating surface, said means comprising a pair of rollers between which the paper may pass, and a member mounted in said rotary frame near the periphery thereof and adapted to act upon said paper to direct an edge of same away from said duplicating surface and between said rollers after said paper has been in contact with said duplicating surface during a substantial proportion of one rotation of said rotary frame.

5. In a duplicator, the combination with a stationary frame and a rotary frame adapted to support a duplicating surface; of means adapted to remove paper from said duplicating surface, said means comprising a pair of rollers between which the paper may pass, a member carried by said rotary frame and adapted when one position to direct an edge of a sheet of paper away from said duplicating surface and between said rollers and when in another position to allow a sheet of paper to remain in undisturbed contact with said duplieating surface, and means adapted when in one position to change the position of said member relatively to said rotary frame at a predetermined point in the operation of said machine and when in another position to hold said directing member means comprising a pair of rollers between which Cil the paper may pass, a member pivotally mounted in said rotary frame and adapted when in one position to direct an edge of a sheet of paper away from said duplicating surface and between said rollers and when in another position to allow a sheet of paper to remain in undisturbed contact with said duplicating surface, an arm operatively connected with said directing member, and a cam mounted on said stationary frame and adapted when in one position to engage said arm and thereby operate said directing member at a predetermined point in the operation of the machine and when in another position to allow said directing member to remain in its inoperative position.

7. In a duplicator, the combination with a stationary frame and a rotary frame adapted to support a duplicating surface; of means adapted to remove paper from said duplicating surface, said means comprising a pair of rollers between which the paper may pass, a member movably mounted in said rotary frame and adapted when in one position to direct an edge of a sheet of paper away from said duplicating surface and between said rollers and when in another position to allow a sheet of paper to remain in undisturbed Contact with said duplicating surface, and means adapted to hold said member continuously in either operative or inoperative position during the operation of the machine, as may be desired.

8. In a duplicator, the following elements and parts in combination: A stationary frame; a rotary frame adapted to support a duplicating surface; a stop adapted when in one position to prevent paper from passing into the machine and -when in another position to permit same to be brought into contact with said duplicating surface; a second stop adapted to locate in proper position a sheet of paper which has been released by said first-named stop and then to release same;

a roller adapted when in one position to be spaced away from said duplicating surface and when in another position to bring paper into Contact therewith; means adapted to operate said stops and to change the position of said roller at predetermined points in the operation of the machine, said means comprising a series of cams on said rotary frame and resilient means adapted to press said roller against said duplicating surface; means adapted to remove paper from said duplicating surface, said means comprising a pair of rollers between which the paper may pass and means adapted to direct an edge of said paper between said rollers; and means adapted to operate said rotary frame and other moving parts of the machine.

9. In a duplicator, the combination with a stationary frame and a rotary frame adapted to support a duplicating surface; of means adapted to bring paper into contact with said duplicating surface, said means comprising a pivotally mounted stop adapted to locate in proper position in the path 01"' said duplicating surface a sheet of paper which has been fed into the machine and then to release same, a roller adapted when in 100 one position to be spaced away from said duplicating surface and when in another position to bring paper into contact therewith, and means adapted to turn said stop pivotally downward out of the path of said paper and said duplicating sur- 195 face and to change the position of said roller, at predetermined points in the operation of the machine, said last-named means comprising a series of cams on said rotary frame, one of which is adapted to act directly upon said stop, and means 110 adapted to press said roller against said duplicating surface.

FREDERICK FRANCIS FECHER. 

